Constructive Tools

                using constructive tools will make students self-motivated and more accountable

Digital learning is replacing traditional education methods more and more each day. with how rapidly classrooms are changing, it is best to forget methods you may remember from when we were in school and start thinking about newer teaching and learning techniques based on digital learning tools and technologies.  The inclusion of digital learning in the classroom can vary from simply using tablets instead of paper. Children also develop positive feelings of accomplishment from mastering new knowledge and skills using digitized learning tools giving them the confidence they need to learn even more new things.

     desktop publishing

So, constructive tools are the application that help learners to manipulate information, visualize one's understanding and construct own knowledge. Constructive tools such as Microsoft word or powerpoint has a strong  impact in educational environment and it is widely used in most organizations.It is based on constructive approach to teaching and learning which emphasizes on construction of knowledge base on our own understanding. It means learners are makers of meaning and knowledge.

The constructive characteristic describes learner- centered instructions that allows students to use technology tools to connect new information to their prior knowledge. Students use technology tools to connect new information to their prior knowledge rather than passively receiving information. It constitute a shift from teacher to learner centered whereby learners explore on their own to construct knowledge based on their pre-existing knowledge.

                                                       Blogs

 For example, designing PowerPoint simulation about my village in order to attract tourist was difficult for me at the beginning. Though I have been using PowerPoint for presentation, it was not enough for designing simulation. However, the basic knowledge on preparing PowerPoint presentation helped me to design and exploring many new features of Powerpoint add new knowledge on my existing knowledge.
So, I felt that was one of the effective teaching and learning materials for both teachers and students if it is appropriately incorporated with content.
         

      simulation about my village in order to attract tourist.

Two types of ICT as communicative tools

In previous post I have posted a gest about communicative tools. In this I will talk more about ICT as synchronous and asynchronous communicative tools.
Synchronous communication refers to communication that happens in real time and requires an immediate response. It includes face to face conversation,zoom and Google Meetup call. It also includes simultaneous messaging when everyone is using the same technology online at the same time.
For example, we discuss on chat forum created by ICT sir during his period. Thought we do not see and hear voice, we response and get feedback immediate from lecture and peers. So it's synchronous.

Besides its advantages,there are few drawbacks of synchronous;
    Since there are multiple threads of discussion, it's difficult to follow. To prevent the multiple threads of discussion, we as  teachers have to let students to focus on one thread as our ICT sir did. We can give brief introduction to the topic that are suppose to discuss before the discussion starts.

   Another major drawback is due to slow connection it distract the flow of discussion and students lose interest in it. Further when there are many sides of discussion, it's difficult for teachers and students to focus and keep track.


Asynchronous communication refers to communication that does not happen in real time and participants can send a response whenever they want. The time delay between the asynchronous message and it's response could be any where from minutes to weeks, but the basis is that the communication does not have to be " live".
So when we do have have to be " live " to response, we get feedback or necessary clarification late and it minimize the frequency of visiting discussion site like VLE, blogs. Moreover it is additional task to check VLE, blogs and other discussion sites.